A New Home for Former Foster Youth at CSUSM: Grand Opening of the Jan and Esther Stearns Center for ACE Scholars

Media Advisory by Christine Vaughan

What: Official grand opening and dedication of the Jan and Esther Stearns Center for ACE Scholars, home to a one-of-a-kind program at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) that provides support to former foster youth pursuing their college degree.

Special remarks will be given by President Karen Haynes, Jan and Esther Stearns, and ACE Scholars Services Director, Jim Mickelson.

Jan and Esther Stearns announced plans in the fall to donate $1 million gift to establish the new Center at CSUSM. Their gift provides support for Center operations and programs as well as establishes the ACE Scholars Services Endowment, providing support into perpetuity.

About the Center
Founded in 2007, ACE Scholars Services—also known simply as ACE—is the on-campus "home" to former foster youth, providing services that meet their unique needs and improve their rates of matriculation, graduation and career success. Working from a place of trust and understanding, ACE offers counseling or assistance on anything from housing to academic counseling, financial aid or admissions. CSUSM is the only university that guarantees admission to foster youth and maintains two admission agreements with the Counties of San Diego and Riverside.

Most notably, CSUSM’s ACE Scholars Services serves more former foster youth per capita than any other university in the nation and prides itself on its high rate of student retention, which exceeds the national average by 30 points at 80 percent.

Where: Tukwut Courtyard, Craven Hall (Third Floor)
CSUSM is located at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos
Complimentary parking and shuttle service is available in Lot B

Boilerplate

California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout the year of 2015. Since its founding, CSUSM has distinguished itself as a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. With nearly 13,000 enrolled students, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego and Southwest Riverside Counties.

Eighty-five percent of CSUSM’s nearly 35,000 alumni stay in the region after graduation. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the 2014 HEED Award—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—the University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. CSUSM is located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos. It is 15 miles east of the ocean; just 30 miles north of downtown San Diego.